Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-09-10


tions. and natural gas pipes sticking
out of the ground there and there. .
An interesting spot was the State Line
"a slab inscribed on one side "Penn-
sylvania," the other "Ohio." 1t di-
vldes two of the most important States
of the Union. / had begun to think
of the great men and women these
States have produced, and of the Won
derful mineral and manufacturing re-
sources centered there. The train
stopped here to take coal. | took fuel
that was not quite so dry. But there
was no ice in the water. After feel
ing little better the train and were
IN Ohio. a number of farms with
fields of waving corn and several 'gar-
dens Of Eden" several villages and
large towns passed, and the brakeman
relieved the tedium somewhat by
shouting-"Alllance twenty minutes
for superb | wasn't very hungry,
but knowing there was long night
before me, felt | had better feed the
''inner man." which | did sumptuously
1t was q grand meal. | noticed the
man who broke the eggs, as stated
above, didn't partake of any this time,
but did justice to fresh fish, etc. Here
another train was coupled to ours,
making it the Through train for
Chicago A repetition of the scenes
described and at 1:30 a. IN. we arrived
in Fort Wayne, Ind. "Change cars for
Grand Rapids" etc. A few hours in
Indiana and Michigan, through level
country Of corn, and lakes about the
size Of the cemetery pond, the train
meandered as slow as the oldest inhab-
itant could desire, and at o'clock we
were at Grand Rapids, my destination.
This is quite a large city, with all
signs of metropolitan life. Its pcpula-
ton is about 10000, one-third of
which is Misunderstanding. To "grow
up with the West" you have to speak
the tongue Of the nation that the her
ring is to what the oyster is to Mary
landers. Naturally l found that, under
those circumstances, coupled with the
fact that rain is very much needed
here, it was poor gro~ing weather for
me. On seeking employment | was
asked if | could "speak Holland" /
confessed that | could not, but politely
informed the gentleman that my
grandmother knew little French" !"
l found temporary employment, not
"congenial or profitable and on Sun
day took a trip to Reeds Lake, a pop
ular resort about four uiles from the
center of the city. At the limits of
the city you take what is known as the
"dummy"-a steam engine similar to
those used in Hoffman mine. The
ears are nearly like the first train that
ran on the B. & O. Were Peter Coop
er, the venerable engineer, alive he
would undoubtedly ring his chestnut
bell" 1t travels rapidly about two
miles. The railroad is conducted on
the 81" road system of New York
The lake is visited by thousands each
Sunday. A fine band of music is seat
ed in large pavilion erected for the
purposes and play during the whole
summer season, Sundays included.
All accommodations are there, boat
ing, driving with carriages or on the
revolving hobby horses, bathing, meals
and drinks Temperance and non-tem-
perance) at all hours, and everything
to make it the Coney Island of Grand
Rapids. We spent the afternoon
pleasantly. Took great delight in the
music. Several national airs were
played, but | couldn't discern "My
Maryland" and became indignant
until l was told that "a Marylander is
never seen out here" On being in
troduced here you are asked "where
do you live ?" | invariably reply that
81 am from Maryland" Surprised
they ask me "what State is it in ?" l
tell them that sit is near Cumber-
land" They become better posted
and inquire ''if that's the place where
the coal is made ?" That's another re-
proach to q Frostburger, a regular
subscriber to the JOURNAL, but l take
it good-humoredly and console them
by saying sit is the State where the
oyster comes from" 1t is all right
then. They were convinced that we
live right on the mollusk. Following
this conversation the band played
1.-THE Girl l Left Behind Me-" l
couldn't stand it and said-"Mosc, let
us go home"
The city shows prosperity by the
number of buildings in course of cree
ton and the beautiful business houses.
The citizens suffer some inconvenience
by the laying OF street and cable car
tracks, the earth being excavated in
all sections. The latest freak is the
granting Of franchise to a company
for the purpose of building line
through one of the principal thorough
fares of the city. Property-owners
along the route are indignant. The
papers are devoted to the discussion of
the matter, while it is the principal
topic of conversation. 1t is charged
in some cases that it is another
broadway steal," and you hear
Sharp. McGarigle and "boodle" men
toned oftener than anything else.
Then the city is enjoying the ''open-
ing of theatre" craze. There are four
first-class opera houses. Amusements
are carried on in great style. Sunday
appears like holiday.
fear | am getting too lengthy, so
will have to omit other matter until
some future time, when l trust l shall
be enabled to give the JOURNAL a
complete description of this growing
town. Very truly,
II